The 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abdul-Azeez Adediran, also known as Jandor, has stated that the party has lost confidence in itself due to ongoing internal crises.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Jandor, who resigned from the PDP on Monday, pointed to the leadership issues at the party’s national headquarters as a key factor in his decision to leave.
The acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, has faced growing criticism from party members, many of whom hold him responsible for the PDP’s worsening challenges following the departure of Iyorchia Ayu.
The situation has been further complicated by a dispute over the National Secretary position, with Senator Samuel Anyanwu and former National Youth Leader Sunday Ude-Okoye both laying claim to the role.
Tensions within the Board of Trustees, National Working Committee, and National Executive Committee have further divided the party, particularly in the South-South, where a Zonal Congress was held on February 22 without the approval of the governors.
Jandor described the turmoil at both the national and state levels as deeply damaging to the PDP’s public image.
“Who goes around posting that they are a member of PDP these days? With what is happening at both the national and state levels, the optics are bad. Even the party itself has given up,” he said.
“A political party is made up of people who come together to build it. But if toxicity persists within the system, the same problems will remain. Today, those who once worked against the PDP are the ones leading it. So where do we start from?”
He further argued that with congresses scheduled for 2025 and primary elections in 2026, the PDP will likely remain under the control of the same individuals, making any real change impossible.
“If you still have the same set of people in charge, you can’t expect different results,” he added.
Following his resignation from the PDP, Jandor said he had not yet decided on his next political move.
“We have 18 political parties in Nigeria, so there are 17 other options. But we will consult and decide. There are also coalitions forming, with people coming together to explore new possibilities,” he said.
He emphasised that, regardless of where he ends up, he will respect the leadership and rules of any new party he joins.
“This is the path we have chosen, and we are not deviating. Only God determines the future,” he said.